BB: WIAC: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[badgerwarhawk]

It looked about as ugly as the whooping they put on Stout in the first game.  Pitching is probably going to be somewhat of an issue with every team these next couple of weeks as the schedule has compacted.  We may be sitting the best given that we've got fewer games to make up.  But everyone is going to be tested. 

[badgerwarhawk]

The first Midwest Regional rankings have been released:

Midwest Region
1 St. Thomas 15-4 16-4
2 UW-Whitewater 20-3 22-4
3 St. Olaf 12-4 12-7
4 UW-Stevens Point 15-6 17-6
5 Concordia-Chicago 21-3 22-3
6 Benedictine 20-6 22-7

The first numbers are the team's regional record and the second their overall record. 

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 9
LaCrosse: 4

Mikole Pierce's sac fly got the WARHAWKS on the scoreboard in their first at bat and they increased the lead to 5-0 with four runs in the second when Dylan Friend drew a bases loaded walk and Marty Herum drove in three with a double.  LaCrosse answered with a pair of runs in the third with a sac fly and RBI single.  The WARHAWKS didn't wait long to get those runs back plating a pair in the fifth on two fielders choice ground outs.  LaCrosse cut into the lead with a two run home run by Brooks Braga in the 8th inning but the WARHAWKS got one of those back when David Cladis hit a sac fly in the bottom of the inning. 

Justin Lambert (6-1) scattered 6 hits surrendering 4 runs (2 earned) striking out two and walking two in 8 innings to pick up the win.  Brock Liston struck out a pair without allowing a hit in one inning of relief.  Joel Effertz (4-2) took the loss for the Eagles.

Friend and Herum each had 3 hits and Pierce had 2 hits.  Herum drove in 4 runs while Friend, Pierce, Cladis, Logan Peot and Casey Power all had a single RBI.  Braga had 2 hits and 2 RBI to lead the Eagles.

WHITEWATER: 13
LaCrosse: 1
7 innings

The WARHAWKS wasted little time in game two jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.  Mikole Pierce's triple drove in two of the runs and the third scored when Steve Bartlein reached on a throwing error.  Dylan Friend ground into a double play in the second inning but JT Schneider scored making it 4-0 after two innings.  The WARHAWKS put the game away with six runs in the third inning.  Bartlien, Mike Mierow and Marty Herum all hit RBI singles, Michael Gonzales' double drove in a pair and Friend's sac fly drove in a run.  Three more WARHAWKS runs were score in the fifth inning on a JT Schneider double, a sac fly by Gonzales and a single off the bat of Bartlein.  LaCrosse scored it's only run on Adam Cordova's two out solo home run in the seventh.

Scott Plaza (5-0) pitched six shut out innings allowing 4 hits and striking out 3.  Mierow saw his first pitching stint since the summer trip to Europe allowing 1 run (earned) on 1 hit and a walk in an inning of relief.  Mike Kowalke (1-4) took the loss.

Herum continued his hot hitting with 3 hits while Pierce, Bartlein and Schneider each had 2 hits.  Both of Pierce's hits were triples.  Barlein and Gonzales led with 3 RBI each.  Pierce added 2 RBI while Friend, Herum, Mierow and Schneider each had 1 RBI.  Herum finished the day 6x8 with 3 runs scored and 5 RBIs.    Josh Rowles had 2 hits to lead the Eagles. 

Point took a pair from Superior 10-0 and 21-2.

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 11
LaCrosse: 8

A sac fly by Cefalu got the Eagles an early lead in their first at bat.  But the WARHAWKS struck for four runs in the second, all unearned.  JT Schneider singled through the left side to drive in the first two.  Michael Gonzales' single drove in the third and Dylan Friend's double drove in the fourth.  The Eagles tied the score 4-4 with three unearned runs in the third.  Braga homered in the fourth to give the Eagles their second lead of the game 5-4 but the WARHAWKS went back on top 6-5 with a pair of unearned runs in the sixth.  Steve Bartlein scored on a fielding error and Gonzales had another RBI single.  LaCrosse didn't wait long to take their third lead of the game, 8-6, scoring three runs, one unearned, in the seventh.  David Cladis cut the lead in half with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning and in the eighth inning JT Schneider's bunt single scored the tying run when the Eagle pitcher threw the ball into right field.  Friend followed that with a 2 run home run and Cladis' second RBI single of the game put the WARHAWKS on top 11-8.  LaCrosse threatened in the ninth bringing the tying run to the plate with two outs but was unable to score.

This was one of the ugliest games imaginable.  The two teams combined for 13 errors making even the most routine ground ball an unpredictable adventure.  Of the 19 runs scored only 9 were earned. 

Matt Roberts started for the WARHAWKS going 6 innings allowing 10 hits, 7 runs (3 earned) with 6 strikeouts and a single base on balls.  Quintin Zander pitched 1.2 innings allowing a single run (earned) on 1 hit with a pair of base on balls and strikeouts.  Curtis Morgan (2-0) was credited with the win after pitching the final 1.1 innings of hitless ball with one base on balls and one strikeouts.  Skyler Debilzen took the loss for LaCrosse.

Marty Herum led the 15 hit Warhawk offense with 3 hits while Gonzales, Friend, Cladis, Schneider and Casey Power all had 2 hits.  Friend led the way with 3 RBIs.  Gonzales, Cladis and Schneider each had 2 RBIs.  Braga and Cordova led the Eagles with 2 hits each. 


WARHAWKS: 8
LaCrosse: 3

Steve Bartlein's RBI single in the first inning gave the WARHAWKS a 1-0 lead and Mike Mierow's double coupled with JT Schneider's fielders choice goundout increased the lead to 3-0 in the fourth.  LaCrosse countered with a single run in fifth when Morgan hit a solo shot.  The WARHAWKS matched that run with Bartlein's second RBI on a single in the fifth and added three more runs in the seventh with Mikole Pierce's RBI double and RBI singles by Logan Peot and JT Schneider.  The WARHAWKS increased the lead to 8-1 in the eighth when David Cladis reached on a fielders choice and Dylan Friend scored.  LaCrosse ended the scoring with a pair of runs in the ninth.

Tom Kerndt (6-1) pitched a solid 8 innings allowing 5 hits, 3 runs (earned), striking out 4 with 3 base on balls.  Colin Grove pitched the last inning allowing a single hit.  Kevin Johnson took the loss for the Eagles.

Bartlein's 4 hits paced the 15 hit WARHAWKS offense while Schneider hit safely 3 times and Peot, Mierow and Pierce each had 2 hits.  Bartlein and Schneider each had a pair of RBIs and Pierce, Cladis, Peot and Mierow all had single RBI.  Ben Morgan had 2 hits to lead the Eagles.   

[ShineTime]

Point beat st Norbert 10 to 0 today.  Messenger looked really good and allowed 2 hits through 7.  Gregorich and Schilter both went yard and gregorich had 4 rbis

[cubs]

With Oshkosh's victory over Stevens Point in the nightcap of today's DH, it clinched the regular season title for Whitewater and in turn they will host the WIAC Tournament next weekend.

[ShineTime]

Points pitching after Jp really had no answer for Oshkosh today.  Hope the base running and pitching are much better by next Wednesday. 

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 15
St. Scholastica: 5
8 innings

The lead went back and forth for the first couple of innings.  The Saints scored first getting a single run in their first at bat but the WARHAWKS responded quickly when Dylan Friend hit an opposite field two run home run in their first at bat.  St. Scholastica regained the lead 3-2 with a pair of runs in the second but once again the WARHAWKS retook the lead 5-3 with an RBI single by Jared Fon and another two run home run this time off the bat of Marty Herum.  After neither team scored in the third the WARHAWKS increased the lead to 9-4 in the fourth when Mikole Pierce and David Cladis each drove in a pair of runs with a single and double respectively.  S.t Scholastica scored a run in the fifth however the WARHAWKS answered that with four more runs on RBI singles by Steve Bartlein (2) and Michael Gonzales and a sacrifice fly by Pierce.  After St. Scholastica put one run on the board in the eighth the WARHAWKS ended the game in walk of style with a two run home run by Sam Keller.

Justin Lambert (7-1) allowed 10 hits, 4 runs (earned) with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts in 6.1 innings for the win.  Justin Mortensen relieved for the final 1.2 innings giving up 1 earned run on 3 hits.  Jake Nystrom took the loss for the Saints.

The WARHAWKS continued their hot hitting with 17 hits led by Gonzales and Pierce who each had 3.  Fon, Pierce, Cladis and JT Schneider all had 2 hits.  Pierce led the way with 3 RBIs while Keller, Friend, Herum, Cladis and Bartlein had 2 RBIs and Gonzales and Fon also drove in a run.  Austin Colvard and Jake Casareto each had 3 hits for the Saints and Casareto had a pair of RBIs.   


WARHAWKS: 5
St. Scholastica: 3

As was the case in the first game it was the Saints who grabbed a 1-0 lead with a two out run in their first at bat.  However this time it took the WARHAWKS two at bats to respond.  Mikole Pierce and Sam Keller hit back to back solo home runs giving the WARHAWKS a 2-1 lead.  The Saints responded by tying the game with a run in the third and took their second lead of the game 3-2 with another run in the fifth.  A pair of runs in the bottom of the inning on Steve Bartlein's RBI single and Michael Gonzales sacrifice fly put the WARHAWKS on top for good 4-3 and they added insurance in the sixth when Keller singled in a run.

The WARHAWKS bats cooled off with only 7 hits of which 6 came off the bats of three players.  Pierce, Keller and Bartlein each had 2 hits.  Pierce had a pair of RBIs while Keller, Bartlein and Gonzales each had one.   Austin Colvard had his second 3 hit game of the day to lead the Saints.

Scott Plaza (6-0) went 5.2 innigs allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits with 5 strikeouts for the win.  Colin Grove picked up his second save of the season allowing just 2 hits and striking out 3 in 3.1 innings of relief.  Jordan Risse was the losing Saint pitcher.   

The WARHAWKS have the weekend off resuming play next Tuesday with a single game against Concordia-Wisconsin and finish the regular season with a double header against Platteville Wednesday afternoon.     

[badgerwarhawk]

Congrats to the WARHAWKS women softball team who avenged a pair of losses to Oshkosh during the regular season with a 2-1 win in the semifinal game of the conference tournament and followed that with a convincing 7-0 victory over Eau Claire, the regular season champion, to earn the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA postseason tournament.  The regional will be held in WHITEWATER starting Thursday.  The WARHAWKS finish the regular season with a 31-5 record. 

[ShineTime]

Big sweep by point.  Like that messenger is coming on strong should only boost points chances.  I'm guessing point and Oshkosh don't pitch any of their top guys seeing seeding is locked up.  Is point locked into regionals no matter how they finish?  Lets hear some thoughts

[MIACLUV]

Let's say they drop the last 2 to Osh and go 0-2 in the conference tourney, that puts them at 30-12. I still believe they are a C bid baseed on SOS alone. Although I don't see this happening, I actually pick them to win the WIAC tourney.

[cubs]

Let's say they drop the last 2 to Osh and go 0-2 in the conference tourney, that puts them at 30-12. I still believe they are a C bid baseed on SOS alone. Although I don't see this happening, I actually pick them to win the WIAC tourney.

I would be shocked if Point won the WIAC tournament.  I just don't see them having the depth in their pitching staff to do it.  If they were to win it, it would have to play out where they won three straight games.  In my opinion, Whitewater is the only team with enough pitching to get knocked into the losers bracket and still win it all.

[badgerwarhawk]

UW-Whitewater second baseman David Cladis  has earned Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Information Directors of America.  The award recognizes the combination of excellence in the classroom and in the athletics arena.

Cladis, a senior with a secondary math education major, has compiled a 3.67 cumulative grade point on a 4.0 scale.  He has been on the Dean's List every semester, and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Scholastic Honor Roll all three years.  He has also been a UW-W Athletic Academic Achievement Award recipient his first three years, and has been involved with the UW-Whitewater Learning Community.

Cladis has started every game for the Warhawks.  He has a .411 batting average, with 32 runs scored and 16 runs batted in.  He has walked 20 times, with a .515 on base average.

[badgerwarhawk]

Superior has finished their conference season 9-15 for a .375 w/l% .  LaCrosse has 8 wins with two games remaining against Stout.  They'll need to win at least one of them to secure the fourth seed.  While I think they will do that should they lose both their w/l% would be .347 but they would have played 23 games, one short of a full schedule.  I don't think that there are plans to play that game and the seeding will be determined by the w/l%.  At least that's the impression I got when we secured the championship and the writeup on the WIAC's website went into detail about the w/l%.  Wednesday should be an interesting weekday for them.

Point seems to be playing very well right now. 

[badgerwarhawk]

WARHAWKS: 15
Concordia-Wi: 2

Concordia scored first with a single run in the the first inning.  The WARHAWKS answered that with five runs in the bottom of the inning.  Marty Herum and Steve Bartlein had RBIs on sacrifice flies, Mikole Pierce stole home as part of a double steal, David Cladis got a cheap RBI when he drew a bases loaded walk and Casey Power had an RBI single.  Three more WARHAWKS runs scored in the second inning on RBI singles from Pierce and Bartlein and a sacrifice bunt by Cladis.  Two more runs scored in the WARHAWKS third inning on Jared Fon's sacrifice fly to deep center when the outfielders collided and though one held onto the ball both runners were able to tag up and score.  The WARHAWKS added two more runs in the fifth on RBI singles from Cladis and Pierce, one more run in the sixth on Dylan Friend's sacrifice fly and the final two in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Pierce and a fielding error.  Concordia scored the game's final run in the ninth. 

Every WARHAWKS starting position player had at least one hit.  Friend, Herum, Bartlein, Pierce and JT Schneider all had two hits.  As a team the WARHAWKS had nine stolen bases. 

Brock Liston (2-0) surrendered 4 hits, an earned run, struck out 2 and walked 2 in five innings for the win.  Justin Mortensen gave up a single hit and struck out 3 in 3 innings of relief.  Mike Mierow pitched the final inning giving up an unearned run on 1 hit while walking 1 and striking out 1.